Arizona nursing crisis deepens as hospitals struggle to compete with new low-stress lures
Phoenix, Arizona: Arizona is in the midst of a nursing crisis as a growing number of healthcare workers leave hospitals for careers in med spas, drawn by the promise of less stress and higher pay. This trend is particularly concerning as the state faces an anticipated shortfall of nearly 30,000 registered nurses by next year.
Brittni Allred, a former emergency room nurse with more than a decade of experience, told 3TV why she made the switch to aesthetic nursing, specializing in Botox and filler injectables. "Switching out of the hospital setting made a huge impact on my mental health," Lockhart said. "I used to come home exhausted, without the patience or sympathy my kids needed because I gave all that to grown adults at work."
Lockhart's experience echoes that of many nurses who are finding the pressures of hospital work increasingly untenable. Workplace violence, aggression from patients, and the relentless stress of the job are leading more healthcare workers to seek out roles in less demanding environments like med spas.
"The burnout is real," Lockhart added. "Healthcare workers are five times more likely to experience workplace violence compared to workers in other fields. The constant pressure in the hospital setting pushed me into aesthetic nursing, where I can build relationships with clients in a much calmer environment."
Dr. Tanya Carroccio, a Doctor of Nursing Practice who now owns BeneHealth, also transitioned to the med spa industry after spending 30 years working in hospitals. She is closely tracking this trend and reports that more nursing students are expressing a preference for outpatient settings over traditional bedside roles.
"There are quite a few students who say they want to work in outpatient settings," Dr. Carroccio told 3TV. "Not many are wanting to be in that bedside role, which is concerning."
This shift comes at a time when Arizona's healthcare system is under immense strain. The nursing shortage is particularly severe in rural areas, where hospitals are struggling to maintain adequate staffing levels. To address the shortfall, universities have developed fast-track nursing programs that allow students to complete their degrees in less than 18 months. However, experts warn that this alone will not solve the problem.
"There needs to be more of an overall effort to address burnout in healthcare workers," Dr. Carroccio emphasized. "Without that, we'll continue to see nurses leaving the profession or moving to less stressful roles, further exacerbating the shortage."
What are the reasons for nurses leaving the profession?
A significant portion of Arizona's nursing workforce is nearing retirement age, with many experienced nurses expected to leave the profession in the coming years. This attrition is outpacing the number of new nurses entering the field.
Arizona's population is growing rapidly, especially in urban areas like Phoenix and Tucson, increasing the demand for healthcare services and, by extension, the need for more nurses.
Many nurses are leaving the profession due to burnout, exacerbated by the pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic, high patient loads, and workplace violence. The stress of the job has led some nurses to seek less demanding roles outside of traditional hospital settings.
How has the nursing shortage hit the healthcare sector?
The shortage of nurses leads to higher patient-to-nurse ratios, increasing the workload for existing staff. This can result in longer wait times for patients, decreased quality of care, and higher levels of burnout among nurses.
Rural communities in Arizona are particularly affected by the nursing shortage. These areas often have fewer healthcare facilities, making it difficult to attract and retain qualified nursing staff. As a result, rural residents may have to travel long distances for care, and healthcare facilities in these areas may struggle to provide adequate services.
How is the state looking to solve the nursing shortage issue?
Arizona's universities and nursing schools are expanding their programs and offering fast-track options to accelerate the training of new nurses.
There have been calls for more state and federal support to address the nursing shortage, including incentives for nursing students, loan forgiveness programs, and higher wages for nurses to make the profession more attractive.
Some healthcare providers in Arizona are turning to technology, such as telemedicine and electronic health records, to alleviate the burden on nurses and improve efficiency.